Iran: Government targets family of opposition leader

Iranian security forces tried last night to arrest Hossein
Karroubi, the son of opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi. Saham News reports that
20 people swarmed the home of Hossein Karroubi on Tuesday night. They reportedly
broke down the door and began destroying the property.

Hossein Karoubi told Saham News: "Unfortunately these individuals
created fear and intimidation in the residential building by destroying
property, disturbing public peace and creating unpleasantness in the
neighbourhood."

"These kinds of behaviour are neither Islamic nor Iranian and certainly not
humane," he said. "It is more akin to the behaviour of fascistic governments in
dealing with their opponents."

Three weeks ago, Hossein Karroubi was briefly arrested and interrogated.

Following Monday's mass street protests in response to the rally call issued by
Mehdi Karroubi and MirHosein Mousavi, the Iranian establishment, which had
considered the protest movement to be completely silenced, is once again calling
for prosecution of the opposition leaders.

Last night, according to Saham News, pro-government forces also surrounded Mehdi
Karroubi's home, chanting slogans that called for his death.

Fatemeh Karroubi, Mehdi's wife has written a letter to the speaker of the
parliament, challenging the violent treatment of her family.

She reminded Ali Larijani of her family's prominent role in fighting to build
the current regime. She said the "illegal and inhumane" attacks against her
family will not deter her husband from following his path to reform.